SF architect drawing up plans for downtown Sac arena

Bill Crockett designed Seattle Seahawks stadium

A San Francisco architect is drawing up new plans for a downtown arena at the site of the Downtown Plaza, KCRA 3 learned on Friday.

City staff who have seen the plans say it will fit within the footprint of the current open air mall and would not require changes to any of the surrounding streets.

The plans would incorporate underground parking operated by the city into a lower level of the arena so the overall structure wouldn't completrly sit above street level.

Bill Crockett, who designed Seahawks stadium in Seattle, as well as Gonzaga University's basketball arena, was hired by the owners of the Downtown Plaza and investors in the new arena.

City staff said millions of private funds are already being spent on conceptual design work, even though the future of the Kings is still up in the air.

The City of Sacramento could ultimately make a financial contribution, turning over the the parking structure under the plaza and give up parking revenue across the city if plans being put together are approved by the City Council.

The exact cost to the city has not yet been determined, Assistant City Manager John Dangburg said.

If the NBA does approve the Sacramento Kings' move to Seattle, Dangburg says JMA Ventures, the owner of the Downtown Plaza, will have to decide what it will ultimately do with the property.

Macy's, which has two store locations in the plaza, didn't respond to KCRA 3's questions about the store's future in downtown.